Most states have specific laws governing the possession of dangerous wild animals, and the liability of landowners for injuries caused by wild animals on their property. Ferae naturae is a common law doctrine (created by judges in court opinions) meaning "animals of a wild nature or disposition," and traces its origins back to the Roman empire. Under the doctrine of ferae naturae, wild animals are presumed to be owned by no one specifically, but by the people generally.

In many states the rule of law has developed that a landowner cannot be held liable for the acts of indigenous wild animals occurring on his or her property unless the landowner has actually reduced the wild animals to possession or control, or introduced a non-indigenous animal into the area.

In Rhode Island, the regulation of possession of dangerous wild animals is governed by state statutes that prohibit individuals from possessing certain wild animals without specific permits. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) enforces regulations concerning the possession of exotic and wild animals. Under these regulations, individuals must obtain a permit to possess, import, or export wild animals that are considered potentially hazardous. Regarding the liability of landowners for injuries caused by wild animals, Rhode Island follows the common law doctrine of ferae naturae, which holds that wild animals are owned by no one in particular but by the people in general. Consequently, a landowner in Rhode Island is typically not liable for injuries caused by indigenous wild animals on their property unless the landowner has either taken possession or control of the animal or introduced a non-indigenous species into the area. This reflects the principle that wild animals are unpredictable and that landowners do not have a duty to protect individuals from the natural behavior of wildlife unless they have done something to alter the natural state of affairs.